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Explicit and veiled limitations on the ability of scientists to speak out openly about their findings in recent years have diminished the quality of public debate in Australia.
In early 2006, allegations that the Australian Government and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) were censoring scientists on issues related to climate change raised serious questions about the public’s right to knowledge. The censorship of scientists also calls into question the integrity and independence of scientific institutes. On an ABC Four Corners program, The Greenhouse Mafia, it was claimed that three senior CSIRO scientists were regularly prevented from publicly commenting on climate change and greenhouse gas emission targets. According to Dr. Mark Dissendorf, former CSIRO scientist, this is an ongoing reality. “Everyone at [CSRIO is] terrified the federal government will cut their budget unless they do exactly as they’re told...” (Skatssoon, ABC Science Online, 14 February 2006). Dr. Graeme Pearman, former CSIRO Director of Atmospheric Research, told Four Corners that he too was censored by CSIRO management: “I was told not to say anything that indicated that I disagreed with current government policy [on climate change].” Moreover, some scientists have alleged that bureaucrats at the Department for the Environment have given censorship instructions (see Four Corners, The Greenhouse Mafia, 2006). The censorship allegations in Australia followed claims that NASA censors its scientists on global warming and the origin of the universe.
Censoring of scientists remains a continuing concern. The Sydney Morning Herald has reported (21.12.07) that the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research has issued a directive to about a dozen statutory agencies that all “strategic media releases” would be overseen by the office of the Prime Minister. Agencies affected include the CSIRO, the Australian Institute of Marine Science, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, the Australian Research Council, the Co-operative Research Centres and Canberra’s Questacon science museum. According to the Herald, the directive orders that all releases should be forwarded to the department, which would then pass them on to the “respective minister’s office”. “The minister’s office will assess the release, and if it considers necessary, will forward it to the PMO [Prime Minister’s office] and liaise with PMO regarding possible changes and clearance. The minister’s office will relay the outcome of the PMO review to [the department] who will consult with you regarding required changes,” the directive said. Mr Paterson, the Department’s Secretary has, however, denied that the directive would be applied to scientists commenting on their own research. “This is not about independent commentary from scientists. This is about institutional media releases. It’s not an unusual approach,”
The May 2008 budget cut CSIRO’s funding by $63 million over the next four years and the organisation may shed up to 100 jobs.
Four Corners (2006). The Greenhouse Mafia, 13 February 2006 (program transcript), http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2006/s1568867.htm
Skatssoon, J. (2006). “Censorship ‘just the tip of iceberg’”, ABC Online, 14 February 2006, http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/tech/InnovationRepublish_1569599.htm
CSIRO, ANSTO budget cuts ‘regrettable’ Posted Thu May 22, 2008 6:43pm AEST: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/22/2253135.htm
